Observation method for aquatic organisms using tank equipment and observation devices of tank equipment

Abstract

This invention provides a tank facility that allows for the accurate observation of aquatic organisms within a tank using observation equipment. [Solution] A tank facility equipped with an observation device 11 for observing aquatic organisms 2 in a tank, wherein the observation device 11 comprises a cylindrical member 15, a photographing device 17 for photographing the aquatic organisms 2 in the tank, and a background member 22 that constitutes the background of the photographed aquatic organisms 2, the cylindrical member 15 having its upper end closed and protruding above the water surface 28 in the tank, and its lower end open and immersed below the water surface 28 in the tank, the photographing device 17 includes the background member 22 in its photographing range 30, the background member 22 is positioned below the lower end of the cylindrical member 15, and a movable space S is formed between the lower end of the cylindrical member 15 and the background member 22, through which the aquatic organisms 2 can pass.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank facility including a water tank for culturing aquatic organisms such as fish and shellfish, and an observation device for observing the aquatic organisms, and a method for observing aquatic organisms using the observation device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a tank facility including a treatment tank for storing sludge and a suspended matter photographing device for photographing aggregated flocs in the sludge. The suspended matter photographing device includes a cylindrical member with a closed upper end and an open lower end, a camera provided at the upper part of the cylindrical member for photographing the water surface inside the cylindrical member, and a background plate for restricting the photographing depth. The upper end of the cylindrical member protrudes above the water surface in the water tank, and the lower end of the cylindrical member is immersed below the water surface in the water tank. The background plate is attached inside the cylindrical member and is located below the water surface inside the cylindrical member and above the lower end of the cylindrical member.

[0003] According to this, by providing the background plate, the photographing depth is restricted, and the aggregated flocs at a position deeper than the background plate are not photographed by the camera, and only the aggregated flocs at a position shallower than the background plate are photographed by the camera. Thus, since the aggregated flocs at a position deeper than the background plate can be thinned out and photographed, the frequency of being photographed as one large aggregated floc when a plurality of aggregated flocs in the sludge overlap in the vertical direction can be significantly reduced. Thereby, the number and size of the aggregated flocs can be accurately observed from the obtained image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the conventional system described above, sludge is stored in the treatment tank. However, if seawater is stored instead of sludge and the tank equipment is used for aquaculture, it is difficult to accurately observe the number and size of fish and shellfish using a floating object imaging device.

[0006] The reason for this is that the background plate is installed inside the cylindrical member, positioned below the water surface inside the cylindrical member and above the lower end of the cylindrical member, resulting in a very shallow water depth from the water surface inside the cylindrical member to the background plate. As a result, fish and shellfish in the seawater stored in the treatment tank cannot be photographed by the camera unless they enter the cylindrical member through the opening at the lower end of the cylindrical member and reach the limited, narrow space between the water surface inside the cylindrical member and the background plate.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a tank facility that can accurately observe aquatic organisms in a tank using an observation device, and a method for observing aquatic organisms using the observation device of the tank facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a tank facility comprising a tank and an observation device for observing aquatic organisms in the tank, The observation device comprises a cylindrical member, a camera that photographs aquatic organisms in a tank from above the water surface inside the cylindrical member, and a background member that forms the background for the photographed aquatic organisms. The cylindrical member has its upper end closed and protruding above the water surface in the tank, while its lower end is open and submerged below the water surface in the tank. The imaging device includes background elements within its imaging range. The background member is positioned below the lower end of the cylindrical member. A movable space is formed between the lower end of the cylindrical member and the background member, allowing aquatic organisms to cross.

[0009] According to this, since the background member is positioned below the lower end of the cylindrical member, a wide range of movable space can be secured in the vertical direction, and aquatic organisms moving within that movable space can be photographed with the camera. In this case, the background element forms the background for the photographed aquatic organism, allowing for the acquisition of clear images of the organism.

[0010] Therefore, even if aquatic organisms do not enter the cylindrical member through the lower end opening, it is possible to photograph them and obtain clear images of them, and to accurately observe aquatic organisms in a tank using the observation device.

[0011] According to the tank equipment of the present invention, it is preferable that the background member is located at the bottom of the water tank. According to this, since the camera can capture images of aquatic organisms at all depths within the tank, clear images can be obtained not only of fish swimming in the water, but also of crustaceans walking along the bottom of the tank and fish that prefer to live at the bottom.

[0012] According to the tank equipment of the present invention, it is preferable that the background member is provided with a turbidity determination marker for determining the turbidity of the water in the tank. According to this, the turbidity of water can be determined based on images of turbidity determination labels captured by a camera.

[0013] According to the tank equipment of the present invention, it is preferable that an air supply device is provided to supply gas into the cylindrical member. According to this method, condensation on the imaging device can be prevented, allowing for the acquisition of clear images.

[0014] The present invention is a method for observing aquatic organisms using an observation device for a tank facility described in any of the above inventions, It is preferable to take images of the aquatic organisms at predetermined intervals using a camera and to determine the growth status of the aquatic organisms based on the images taken.

[0015] According to this, for example, when the number of photographed aquatic organisms is small or the size of the photographed aquatic organisms is small, it is determined that the growth condition of the aquatic organisms is poor.

Effects of the Invention

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, the aquatic organisms in the aquarium can be accurately observed using the observation device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a diagram of the tank equipment in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram of the observation device provided in the tank equipment. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the background member of the observation device. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of obtaining the turbidity of seawater based on a photographed image of the turbidity determination mark of the background member. [Figure 5] It is a front view of the background member provided in the tank equipment in the third embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment)

[0019] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 1 is a closed circulation type tank facility for cultivating shellfish (an example of aquatic organisms) such as shrimp 2. The tank facility 1 includes an aquarium 10, an observation device 11 for observing the shrimp 2 in the aquarium 10, and a purification unit 12 for purifying the water quality of the seawater 3 while circulating the seawater 3 stored in the aquarium 10.

[0020] The observation device 11 includes a circular cylindrical member 15 with a closed upper end and an open lower end, a photographing device 17 for photographing shrimp 2, sediment 4, etc. in the tank 10 from above the water surface 16 inside the cylindrical member 5, a lighting device 18 for illuminating the water surface 16 inside the cylindrical member 5 from above, an air supply device 20 for supplying air 19 (an example of a gas) into the cylindrical member 15, and a background member 22 installed at the bottom 21 inside the tank 10.

[0021] The cylindrical member 15 is made of a light-shielding material made of metal or resin, and has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 24 and a ceiling portion 25 provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 24, and is attached and fixed to the water tank 10 via an attachment member 26. The upper end of the cylindrical member 15 protrudes above the water surface 28 in the water tank 10, and the lower end of the cylindrical member 15 is submerged below the water surface 28.

[0022] A through-hole 29 is formed at one point in the circumferential direction of the lower part of the peripheral wall portion 24, penetrating from the inner circumferential surface to the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall portion 24. The water level 16 inside the cylindrical member 5 is kept at the same height as the through-hole 29, while the water level 28 outside the cylindrical member 5 is kept at a higher position than the through-hole 29.

[0023] The imaging device 17 has a camera, etc., that includes a background member 22 within the imaging range 30 (field of view), and is mounted on the ceiling portion 25 inside the cylindrical member 15. An image processing device 32 is connected to the imaging device 17 via a cable 31. The lighting device 18 is an annular light source and is attached to the top portion 25 of the cylindrical member 15 so as to surround the lens portion of the photographing device 17.

[0024] The air supply device 20 includes an air pump 36 and a dehumidifier 37 that dehumidifies the air 19 sent from the air pump 36 into the cylindrical member 15, allowing the air 19 to be supplied into the cylindrical member 15 from above the water surface 16 inside the cylindrical member 15.

[0025] The background member 22 is positioned below the lower end of the cylindrical member 15 and directly beneath the cylindrical member 15. The background member 22 includes a first background plate 41 that forms the background of the photographed shrimp 2, a second background plate 42 that forms the background of the photographed sediment 4, a turbidity determination marker 43 for determining the turbidity of the seawater 3 in the tank 10, and a mounting plate 44. The sediment 4 refers to the accumulation of food that the shrimp 2 has sunk and accumulated, or the accumulation of excrement that the shrimp 2 has sunk and accumulated, etc.

[0026] The first background plate 41 is, for example, a rectangular plate colored grayish-brown and is mounted on the mounting plate 44. The second background plate 42 is, for example, a rectangular plate colored white and is mounted on the mounting plate 44.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the turbidity determination marker 43 is a rectangular plate mounted on a mounting plate 44. For example, one end 43a is colored black and the other end 43b is colored white, with the coloring gradually changing from black to white as you move from end 43a to end 43b.

[0028] The second background plate 42 is positioned between the first background plate 41 and the turbidity determination marker 43. The second background plate 42 and the turbidity determination marker 43 are separated by a partition plate 45 erected on the mounting plate 44. A movable space S is formed between the lower end of the cylindrical member 15 and the background member 22, allowing the shrimp 2 to pass through.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the purification unit 12 includes an outlet pipe 49 for drawing out seawater 3 from the tank 10, a filter 50 for filtering the seawater 3, and a return pipe 51 for returning the purified seawater 3 back into the tank 10. The following explains the operation of the above configuration.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, when the purification unit 12 is activated, the seawater 3 in the tank 10 is drawn out through the draw-out pipe 49 to the purification unit 12, purified by being filtered by the filter 50 built into the purification unit 12, and then returned to the tank 10 through the return pipe 51.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, by driving the air pump 36, air 19 is supplied from the air pump 36 into the cylindrical member 15 and is discharged to the outside of the cylindrical member 15 as bubbles 52 through the through hole 29. In this state, by turning on the lighting device 18 and photographing the area below the cylindrical member 15 with the photographing device 17, an image can be obtained showing the shrimp 2, sediment 4, and turbidity determination marker 43.

[0032] In this case, since the dehumidified air 19 from the dehumidifier 37 is supplied into the cylindrical member 15, condensation on the imaging device 17 can be prevented, and a clear image can be obtained.

[0033] Furthermore, since the background member 22 is positioned at the bottom 21 of the aquarium 10, a wide range of movable space S can be secured in the vertical direction, making it possible to photograph the shrimp 2 moving within the movable space S.

[0034] In this case, as shown in Figure 3, the first background plate 41 of the background member 22 constitutes the background of the photographed shrimp 2, so a clear image of the shrimp 2 can be obtained. For example, if the body color of the shrimp 2 is a light reddish-grayish white, using the first background plate 41 colored grayish-brown will make the image of the shrimp 2 stand out more clearly.

[0035] In this way, even if the shrimp 2 does not enter the inside of the cylindrical member 15 through the lower end opening of the cylindrical member 15, it is possible to photograph the shrimp 2 and obtain a clear image of the shrimp 2, thus allowing for accurate observation of the shrimp 2 in the aquarium 10.

[0036] Furthermore, the sediment 4 accumulates at the bottom 21 of the tank 10, and a portion of the sediment 4 also accumulates on the second background plate 42 of the background member 22. In this case, the second background plate 42 forms the background of the photographed sediment 4, so a clear image of the sediment 4 can be obtained. For example, if the surface color of the sediment 4 is brownish-red, using a second background plate 42 that is colored white will make the image of the sediment 4 stand out more clearly.

[0037] In this way, it is possible to photograph the sediment 4 and obtain a clear image of the sediment 4, thus enabling accurate observation of the sediment 4 in the tank 10.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the turbidity of the seawater 3 can be determined based on the captured image 55 of the turbidity determination marker 43. In this process, the captured image 55 of the turbidity determination marker 43 is binarized by the image processing device 32 at a predetermined threshold and divided into two regions: a first region B recognized as black and a second region W recognized as white.

[0039] For example, if seawater 3 becomes polluted and its turbidity increases, the area of ​​the first region B increases while the area of ​​the second region W decreases. Conversely, if seawater 3 is purified and its turbidity decreases, the area of ​​the first region B decreases while the area of ​​the second region W increases. Since there is a correlation between the area occupied by the first region B and the turbidity of seawater 3, the turbidity of seawater 3 is determined based on the area occupied by the first region B.

[0040] For example, as shown in Figure 4(a), if the area occupied by the first region B is less than or equal to the standard value R(%), it is determined that the water quality of the seawater 3 is being maintained in good condition, and the flow rate per unit time of the seawater 3 to be purified by the purification unit 12 is set to a predetermined (normal) flow rate.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), if the area occupied by the first region B exceeds the standard value R(%), it is determined that the quality of the seawater 3 has deteriorated, and the flow rate of seawater 3 per unit time to be purified by the purification unit 12 is increased beyond a predetermined flow rate.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(c), if the area occupied by the first region B reaches 100%, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the water quality of the seawater 3, and the flow rate of seawater 3 purified by the purification unit 12 per unit time is increased to a predetermined flow rate, and an alarm is issued to indicate the abnormality. In this case, the filter 50 of the purification unit 12 is replaced, or the sediment 4 in the tank 10 is cleaned.

[0043] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, by supplying air 19 into the cylindrical member 15 using the air supply device 20 and forming a through hole 29 in the cylindrical member 5, even if the water surface 28 outside the cylindrical member 5 fluctuates up and down, the position of the water surface 16 inside the cylindrical member 5 remains fixed and the distance between the imaging device 17 and the water surface 16 inside the cylindrical member 5 is kept constant. As a result, ripples on the water surface 16 inside the cylindrical member 5 are suppressed, and an image can be obtained in focus on the first and second background plates 41, 42 and the turbidity judgment marker 43.

[0044] (Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, a method for observing shrimp 2 using the observation device 11 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0045] The imaging device 17 is used to take images, for example, every 10 seconds (an example of a predetermined time), and the growth status of the shrimp 2 is determined based on the number and size of the shrimp 2 captured in the images. For example, if the captured images show more than a predetermined number of shrimp 2 of a predetermined size or larger, it is determined that the growth status of the shrimp 2 is good.

[0046] Furthermore, if the captured image shows fewer shrimp 2 of a predetermined size or larger than the predetermined number, it is determined that the growth status of shrimp 2 is poor. In this case, the amount of food or the frequency of feeding is increased.

[0047] Furthermore, by using an image of shrimp 2 taken at a specific time and an image of shrimp 2 taken, for example, 10 seconds later, the distance traveled by shrimp 2 can be determined, and by dividing the distance traveled by 10 seconds, the speed of movement of shrimp 2 can be calculated.

[0048] In the second embodiment described above, the number, size, and movement speed of the shrimp 2 can be determined by binarizing the captured image with a predetermined threshold in the image processing device 32. However, the number, size, and movement speed of the shrimp 2 may also be determined based on automatic recognition using AI (artificial intelligence). In the second embodiment described above, 10 seconds was given as an example of a predetermined time, but it is not limited to 10 seconds.

[0049] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the seawater 3 in the tank 10 is stirred by, for example, a stirrer (not shown) or circulated by a pump (not shown), thereby generating a bottom current 58 that flows in a constant direction at the bottom 21 of the tank 10 on the side of the turbidity determination indicator 43 (to the right of the partition plate 45 in Figure 5) rather than the partition plate 45.

[0050] This bottom current 58 flows above the turbidity determination marker 43, hits the partition plate 45, and reverses direction. As a result, the sediment 4 at the bottom 21 of the tank 10 is forcibly carried away by the bottom current 58 and removed from above the turbidity determination marker 43, preventing it from accumulating on the turbidity determination marker 43. Therefore, the turbidity of the seawater 3 can be accurately determined using the turbidity determination marker 43.

[0051] In this case, the bottom flow 58 of the tank is blocked by the partition plate 45 and does not flow towards the side of the first and second background plates 41 and 42 (to the left of the partition plate 45 in Figure 5). This prevents the shrimp 2 from being forcibly carried away from the first background plate 41 or the sediment 4 from being forcibly carried away from the second background plate 42.

[0052] In each of the above embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, the imaging device 17 is mounted on the ceiling 25 while housed inside the cylindrical member 15, but it may also be mounted on the ceiling 25 while exposed above the cylindrical member 15.

[0053] In each of the embodiments described above, the first background plate 41 is colored grayish-brown as shown in Figure 3, but it is not limited to grayish-brown, and the first background plate 41 may be colored with a color other than grayish-brown depending on the body color of the shrimp 2. In this case, it is preferable to select a color for the first background plate 41 that makes the shrimp 2 stand out more clearly (for example, a complementary color to the body color of the shrimp 2).

[0054] In the embodiments described above, the second background plate 42 is colored white, but it is not limited to white, and the second background plate 42 may be colored with a color other than white depending on the color of the sediment 4. In this case, it is preferable to select a color for the second background plate 42 that makes the sediment 4 stand out more clearly (for example, a complementary color to the color of the sediment 4).

[0055] In each of the embodiments described above, the turbidity determination indicator 43 is colored so that the shade gradually changes from black to white. However, it is not limited to shades of black and white, and the turbidity determination indicator 43 may be colored in shades other than black and white depending on the color of the turbidity of the seawater 3.

[0056] In the embodiments described above, shrimp 2 was given as an example of an aquatic organism, but it is not limited to shrimp 2, and may be, for example, crabs, fish, or shellfish. Furthermore, it is not limited to organisms that inhabit seawater 3, but may be organisms that inhabit freshwater.

[0057] In each of the above embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, the background member 22 is installed below the cylindrical member 15 and at the bottom 21 of the water tank 10. However, if a sufficiently large movable space S necessary for observation can be secured, the background member 22 may be installed below the cylindrical member 15 and above the bottom 21.

[0058] In each of the above embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, the lighting device 18 is installed inside the cylindrical member 15. However, if the location where the aquarium 10 is installed is bright, the lighting device 18 may be omitted. Alternatively, the lighting device 18 may be installed on the back of the background member 22 (or near the background member 22) instead of inside the cylindrical member 15. This is particularly suitable when observing aquatic organisms that are attracted to light.

[0059] In each of the above embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, a through hole 29 is formed in the lower part of the peripheral wall portion 24 of the cylindrical member 15. However, instead of a hole, a notch may be formed that is cut upward from the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 24, and the air 19 supplied into the cylindrical member 15 from the air pump 36 may be discharged to the outside of the cylindrical member 15 through the notch. Alternatively, the above-described through hole 29 or notch may not be formed in the peripheral wall portion 24 of the cylindrical member 15, and the air 19 supplied into the cylindrical member 15 from the air pump 36 may be discharged to the outside of the cylindrical member 15 through the lower end opening of the cylindrical member 15. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1 tank equipment 2. Shrimp (aquatic creatures) 10 aquariums 11 Observation equipment 15. Cylindrical member 16 Water surface 17. Imaging device 19. Air (gas) 20 Air supply system 21 Bottom 22 Background elements 28 Water surface 30 Shooting range 43 Turbidity determination sign S Movable space

Claims

1. A tank facility comprising a tank and an observation device for observing aquatic organisms in the tank, The observation device comprises a cylindrical member, a camera that photographs aquatic organisms in a tank from above the water surface inside the cylindrical member, and a background member that forms the background for the photographed aquatic organisms. The cylindrical member has its upper end closed and protruding above the water surface in the tank, while its lower end is open and submerged below the water surface in the tank. The imaging device includes background elements within its imaging range. The background member is positioned below the lower end of the cylindrical member. A tank facility characterized by the formation of a movable space between the lower end of a cylindrical member and a background member, allowing aquatic organisms to cross.

2. The tank equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the background member is located at the bottom of the tank.

3. The tank equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that a turbidity determination marker for determining the turbidity of the water in the tank is provided on the background member.

4. The tank equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with an air supply device for supplying gas into a cylindrical member.

5. A method for observing aquatic organisms using an observation device for a tank facility as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 above, A method for observing aquatic organisms, characterized by taking photographs at predetermined intervals using a photographing device and determining the growth status of the aquatic organisms based on the images taken.

Images